Chinese Senior Official Visits Tehran
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun ended his visit to Tehran on Thursday after talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and other senior officials amid growing tensions over Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz if new sanctions were to curtail the country’s ability to export oil.
“China hopes that peace and stability can be maintained in the strait,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters on Thursday [Reuters, 30 December].
China imported 547,000 barrels per day of crude from Iran this year, up from 426,000 barrels per day in 2010. Only Saudi Arabia and Angola sell more oil to China.
The shocking aspect to this development is that CHINA has taken the lead on Iran over Russia! It would seem that China is mad at Russia for allowing Iran to be cornered at the UNSC. I have always suspected that China did not want to support the 4th and last sanction, but acquiesced as a favor to Russia's grand bargain which the Cowboy threw back at their faces in the form of unilateral sanctions. They didn't see this double-cross flimflam signature move that a native American could have foretold.
ReplyDeleteNow Iran is stuck. It can never have these UN sanctions removed and the Cowboy has no desire to ever settle the nuclear issue.
Finally, do not think that this trip was all about the Strait of Hormuz. I suspect that the brouhaha with January oil contract was about the warbird KQ-170. I believe that Iran is playing hardball with the Chinese about sharing this treasure trove. The reality about this downing is that Iran can now develop the B-2 bomber without anybody's help.
2Cold.
Are you on drugs? Russia sells more oil, Iran has to give it away to its Chinese masters!
ReplyDelete